High School Academics

English

The English program for Kehilla high school students is built on the belief that reading, writing, and critical thinking are the foundation of an engaged, thoughtful life. Students explore a wide range of literary genres and voices, developing skills in close reading, analytical writing, and articulate expression. Foundational courses emphasize comprehension, structure, and literary analysis, while advanced and AP-level classes challenge students to explore complex themes, rhetorical strategies, and creative expression.

Junior and senior seminars offer specialized, semester-long explorations of literary topics inviting students to pursue their intellectual passions in a college-style setting.

Math

The mathematics curriculum emphasizes logical reasoning, problem solving, and the application of mathematical concepts to real-world contexts. Students build a strong foundation in algebraic, geometric, and statistical thinking, progressing toward advanced study in precalculus and calculus.

AP courses in Precalculus, Calculus AB, and Calculus BC challenge students with rigorous, college-level material, while Statistics & Practical Math emphasizes data literacy, probability, and the mathematical reasoning needed for everyday decision-making. Throughout the program, students use graphing technology and modeling to strengthen conceptual understanding and prepare for future STEM pursuits.

Our High School division at Kehilla Upper School is designed to meet students at a pivotal stage of intellectual maturity, identity development, and personal responsibility. In both general studies and Judaic Studies, students engage with rigorous coursework that pushes them to think critically, synthesize information across disciplines, and articulate complex ideas with nuance and sophistication. They write with intention and depth, participate in meaningful debate, and pursue advanced work in the sciences, mathematics, humanities, and the arts.

The High School years at Kehilla are also a time of expanding independence and purpose. Within a supportive, values-driven environment, students deepen their engagement with Jewish learning and practice, taking leadership roles in Tefillah, community programming, and school-wide initiatives. They explore their connection to Jewish peoplehood and Israel in mature, thoughtful ways and build the skills and confidence they need to step into the wider world as proud, capable young adults.

Social Studies

The social studies program empowers students to understand the forces that shape societies and to see themselves as active participants in history and civic life.

Through courses in AP Human Geography, World History, U.S. History, European History, Government, Macroeconomics, and Psychology, students explore culture, politics, economics, and human behavior from multiple perspectives.

Classes emphasize critical thinking, primary-source analysis, and informed debate. Students learn to connect past to present—developing global awareness, historical perspective, and the confidence to engage thoughtfully in civic discourse.

Science

Kehilla’s science program inspires curiosity, inquiry, and hands-on discovery. Students explore the physical and life sciences through laboratory investigation, experimentation, and real-world application.

Courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics build a solid foundation in scientific principles, while AP-level courses, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Environmental Science, offer an in-depth, college-level experience focused on advanced analysis, data interpretation, and research. Across all levels, the emphasis is on questioning, exploring, and connecting scientific knowledge to the modern world.

Hebrew and World Languages

Language study at Kehilla deepens cultural understanding and global connection. The Hebrew program builds from introductory to mastery levels (Hebrew A–D), focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. Students engage with Israeli culture, literature, and contemporary issues as they progress toward fluency.

Practical Spanish introduces students to conversational Spanish and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, equipping them with real-world communication skills and intercultural awareness.

Jewish Studies

Rooted in the Jewish tradition of lifelong learning, Kehilla’s Judaic and Ethical Studies program encourages students to explore faith, ethics, and identity in a modern context.
Core courses include Tefilah, Tanach, and Taste of Talmud, with opportunities for deeper engagement through Talmud Chavurah and Philosophy. Students examine Jewish history, values, and texts, confronting moral and ethical questions both ancient and contemporary.

Courses such as Ethics, Holocaust & Human Behavior, and Jewish History challenge students to think critically about justice, community, and the role of the individual in shaping a better world.